MP urges Andrés, Duilio and Augusto Melo to quit Corinthians boards | OneFootball

The Public Prosecutor's Office of São Paulo (MP-SP) has asked the court to remove the last three presidents of Corinthians, Augusto Melo, Duilio Monteiro Alves and Andrés Sanchez, from the Deliberative and Guidance Councils of the club during the agency's investigations into the possible misuse of corporate cards. It is now up to the judge in charge of the case to accept or reject the request.

The request was made by prosecutor Cássio Roberto Conserino to the Department of Police Inquiries of the São Paulo Court of Justice, on August 21. However, so far, there has been no response from the Judiciary.

The information was initially published by Rádio Bandeirantes and confirmed by Gazeta Esportiva.

(Photo: Reproduction/YouTube)

The former presidents Andrés Sanchez and Duilio Monteiro Alves, currently, are part of the Deliberative Council and Cori. Therefore, if judicially removed, both would be prevented from attending any meeting of these bodies.

Augusto Melo, on the other hand, lost his political rights with the impeachment suffered last month. However, like Andrés and Duilio, he could also lose his rights as a member and not participate in any votes among the members, if the court accepts the MP's request.

(Photo: Peter Leone/O Fotografico/Gazeta Press)

What the involved parties say

The Gazeta Esportiva team contacted the last three former presidents of Corinthians and also Romeu Tuma Junior, president of the CD. So far, only Augusto Melo has responded (see below). If the others comment, the article will be updated.

"The defense of former president Augusto Melo clarifies that, although the request made by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the State of São Paulo aims at the removal of some councilors and, indirectly, also aims to reach the name of the former president, it is important to highlight that, on the part of Augusto Melo, there is no objection, resistance or fear in relation to such a measure.

Throughout his tenure at the helm of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, Augusto Melo guided his conduct by transparency and responsibility, to the point of never having used his corporate card. Thus, he believes that any investigation, far from representing any threat, will only reinforce his integrity and demonstrate, unequivocally, that he always acted with care and probity in the administration of the club.

For this reason, he receives with absolute serenity the initiative of the Public Prosecutor's Office, reaffirming that he does not fear any investigation and that he is convinced that the truth of the facts will highlight his correct and responsible posture towards Corinthians and its fans."

Understand the case

The Criminal Investigation Procedure (PIC) was initiated by the Public Prosecutor's Office in mid-June of this year. At the time, the agency also scheduled hearings with the current president, Osmar Stabile, the vice-president Armando Mendonça and the president of the Deliberative Council, Romeu Tuma Junior, in order to understand the functioning of Corinthians' corporate cards.

Initially, the MP's investigation would only cover the period of Andrés Sanchez's (2018 to 2020) and Duilio's (2021 to 2023) administrations. However, after hearing some testimonies, the agency decided to also investigate Augusto Melo's term. In addition to alleged embezzlement, possible crimes of fraud, qualified theft, ideological falsehood and criminal association are also being investigated.

The case came to light in early July, when Andrés admitted to having used the card improperly to pay for personal expenses in Tibau do Sul, Rio Grande do Norte, at the end of his last term, in 2020.

Days after the expenditure was revealed, he reimbursed Corinthians with interest and monetary correction. The former president, however, will answer to a disciplinary process in the club's Ethics and Discipline Commission. The fans demand punishments and even the expulsion of Andrés.

There was also an accusation of alleged personal expenses during the administration of Duilio Monteiro Alves. The expenses, however, are not necessarily linked to the former president. He does not recognize the invoices and filed a crime report at the Police Station for the Repression of Sports Intolerance Crimes (Drade/Dope), requesting the inclusion of this in the ongoing police investigation, which denounces the circulation of false and manipulated documents.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.